THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Inside Sports
Sports
The Kansas volleyball team plays No.13 Colorado and No. 3 Nebraska this weekend.
See Page 3B
Friday
October 23,1998
Section:
B
Page 1
Big 12 Football
Iowa State officials are giving away tickets to the Nov. 21 season finale against Kansas.
SEE PAGE 3B
Inside Sports
Don't miss the Kansas-Colorado starting line-ups and the top 25 football schedule for this weekend.
SEE PAGE 10B
WWW.KANSAN.COM/SPORTS
Contact the Kansan
Sports Desk:
Sports Fax:
Sports e-mail
(785) 864-4810
(785) 864-0391
matt@ukans.edu
Commentary Mixed team might give Roy Williams lineup trouble
Now that the basketball season has officially begun, it's time to ponder the season that lies ahead for the Jayhawks.
Marian Washington's team returns almost entirely intact with a whopping 99% of the team's scorsers and all five starters are back. The real concern is on the men's side.
With the departures of Raef, Paul and Billy, the most important question that Coach Williams must answer before the season sets under way is: Who will start?
With only two starters returning from last year's team, seniors Ryan Robertson and T.J. Pugh, Coach Williams will have to piece together a starting five out of the numerous young players available on his roster.
In my opinion, there are three Jayhawks who have already secured starting spots — and Pugh is not one of them.
Here's a look at the possible starters at each position:
Center — Sophomore Eric Chenowith is
a lock to be the man in-the-middle for the Jayhawks this season. In his freshman year, Chenowith often was pushed around in the post and tended to disappear in important games. During the summer, he put on some much needed muscle and gained valuable experience by touring Europe with a Big 12 All-Star team. Look for a dramatic
Kevin Wilson
increase in Chenowith's scoring, rebounding and confidence this year.
Power Forward — This position is a toss up. Pugh would have to be considered the favorite, but don't count out the talented Lester Earl. Sure Pugh is a senior, plays tenacious hard-nosed defense and was a starter last year, but that doesn't automatically mean he's going to a start this year. With Earl in the starting lineup, the Jayhawks would have more athleticism, more rebounding and more excitement. No matter who starts, both will get ample playing time.
Small Forward — This is where it gets confusing. With Pierce gone, the Jayhawks need someone to step up and fill the scoring void. Kenny Gregory is the best player available at the position and the most likely candidate to shoulder some of the offensive load. With more minutes this season, Gregory should blossom into an explosive scorer and a bona fide superstar. But he might be needed more at shooting guard this season, forcing Williams to start either the unproven Ashante Johnson or the underrated Nick Bradford.
■ Point Guard—Although Robertson is one of the best point guards in the country and has led the Jayhawks to a 45-4 record as a starter, he might be playing a different position when the season begins. Freshman Jeff Boschie, an ultra-quick point guard reminiscent of Mike Bibby, who can shoot the three and defend the perimeter, is exactly what the Jayhawks need if they want to advance further in the NCAA Tournament this year. If Boschie can develop in time, he might join Robertson and Gregory in an intriguing three guard lineup.
Shooting guard — If Robertson is starting at the point, then Gregory will be the off guard. But if Boschee is promoted to the top spot, then Robertson will slide into to the shooting guard spot. Either way, Robertson will be the key to the Kansas back court because of his experience, his deadly shooting ability, his sound decision-making and his deft ball-handling skills.
Whether ends up starting, it will definitely be a challenge for coach Roy Williams to mix this blend of proven veterans and untested youngsters into a cohesive unit. But if anyone can do it, it's Williams.
Wilson is an Des Moines senior in journalism.
If everyone is healthy to start the season (that's a big "if"), and Boschsee emerges as expected, my dream lineup would be: Chenowith, Earl, Gregory, Robertson and Boschee. This combination would give the Jayhawks enough speed, athleticism and outside shooting to compete for the national
'Hawks hope to corral Buffs
Seniors look for homecoming win
By Jodi M. Smith
Kansan sportswriter
The Kansas Jayhawks are playing a broken record.
They enter tomorrow's game against the Colorado Buffaloes having lost all but one of their conference games in virtually the same way — throwing it away in the fourth quarter.
But they can't do it again.
If Kansas has any hopes of a bowl bid, the team has to win its last four games of the season starting with the Buffaloes, 6-1 overall and 3-1 in the conference.
"We still have four games left, and we can force some positives out of this season," strong safety Michael Allen said.
But tomorrow's game is not just about grabbing the Jayhawks' first conference win. It's also homecoming weekend, and the seniors' last chance to capture a homecoming victory.
"We've talked about the seniors a lot this week, finishing out the year right for them," wide receiver Harrison Hill said. "It's the hardest for them because they're the ones who don't have another chance."
What the seniors would like even more would be four home victories, the most they are capable of having.
"We're very anxious to be at home," coach Terry Allen said. "It is homecoming, and it's a situation where, obviously, we've been taking our lumps here recently, but it'll be nice to be back home.
"The seniors that have been physically able to play have done a very good job for us this year, and those guys deserve to have an opportunity."
With a disappointing first half of the
See JAYHAWKS on page 10B
Senior linebacker Steve Bratten avoids a block in last year's game against Colorado. The Jayhawks will play the Buffalo at 6:07 p.m. tomorrow at Memorial Stadium. Kansas staff photo
Pugh plans to attempt a return to practice
Kansas senior forward T.J. Pugh, who has been plagued by an injury to his left ankle, will attempt to practice today for the first time since drills opened on Oct. 17.
A bone scan this week revealed a small stress fracture. Pugh will test the ankle at the practice
He said he was optimistic that he will be ready for the Jayhawks' basketball season-opener on Nov. 13 against Gonzaga.
"I am anxious to return to practice and see how the ankle
Pugh: Will begin practicing today with injured ankle.
feels." Pugh said Thursday. "I'm hoping we can just wrap it and go. If there is still a lot of pain, I have the option of having a screw inserted in my ankle, which would allow me to play this season without sitting out many games. We'll just see how it goes in the next week or so."
Pugh missed nine games last season with a foot stress fracture. In September, he had surgery on his right ankle.
Soccer team plans to combat scoring drought
Pugh is considered one of the Big 12 Conference's top defensive players. He averaged 5.7 points and 5.0 rebounds last season.
- Kansan staff report
Kansan sportswriter
Despite a 5-9-1 record, things are not as bad as it might seem for the Kansas soccer team.
The good news is that the goal keeping combination of Jen Fecke, Katie Garrity and Betsy Pollard have had 1.43 goals scored against them, down almost an entire goal per game from last year's 2.38 average.
"It's extremely frustrating because it seems like the defense has been working hard for nothing because we end up losing," Garrity said. "We have confidence in our ability as a defensive unit. We have been together for two years now, and we know each other's strengths."
Since losing at Iowa 5-1 on Sept.
Kansas held high-powered offensive teams such as James Madison, Nebraska, Baylor and Texas Tech to one goal each. The Jayhawks even shut out a powerful Missouri team and are ranked fourth in the Big 12 Conference in goals against.
11, the Jayhawks defense only once has conceded more than one goal in a game, a 3-0 loss at Oklahoma on Oct. 11.
Though the defense has been consistent this year, the problem for the Jayhawks has been at the offensive end. They have scored 18 goals this year for a paltry 1.17 goals per game.
Since scoring half of those goals at the Kansas Tournament Sept. 25-27, the Jayhawks have played 570 minutes of soccer and scored only once.
Forward Megham Haven thinks that the goals will come when the Jayhawks battle Texas at 7 tonight and Texas A&M on Sunday.
chances on net like we sh o u l d. We've been working hard on shooting this week, and I think it will turn
"It's been frustrating not scoring.
'Haven said. "We don't get
The Jayhawks are tied for ninth in the Big 12 with a 1-5-1 record. While they are not mathematically eliminated from the Big 12, Kansas coach Dan Magner said the 'Hawks have to bank on other teams to help them qualify for the
around this weekend."
tournament in San Antonio.
"The difference now is to rely on other teams doing certain things," he said. "We've preached to always put ourselves in a position to win. By winning the next three games, we are not guaranteed in (the Big 12 Tournament), but it puts us in a position to be."
Last year, Iowa State finished 4-6 in the Big 12 and made it to San Antonio, Magner said. With three wins in their final three conference games, the Jayhawks would be 4-5-1 in conference play.
"Last year, we won our final three games," he said. "The coaching staff believes in this team, and I believe we can finish strong again."
While Texas and Texas A&M, sixth and fifth in the Big 12, will be tough be beat, Garrity and midfielder Melissa Downing are looking forward to a little homecoming this weekend. Both are Texas natives and said they will have their own fan clubs at the matches.
"I'll be playing against old friends, teammates and opponents," Downing said. "It's going to be cool to play against them. I have all my high school friends coming for the Texas game"
Garrity's sister, Kelly, plays lacrosse at Texas A&M, and Katie said she is going to be facing old teammates as well.
"I'm looking forward to facing (Texas A&M players) Stefani Chaney and Michelle Remington," she said. "My sister, brother and friends will be there Sunday, and I think my sister is getting her cadet friends to get a fan club for me."
Week No. 5 College Football Predictions
CAA
Matt Friedrichs sports editor
Kevin Wilson associate sports editor
Jodi Smith football reporter
Spencer Duncan columnist
Brandon Krisztal sports staff
Randy Witers sports staff
Jesse Klibort student
Eric Chenowith KU men's basketball player
1. Colorado vs. Kansas
2. Iowa St. vs. Kansas St.
3. Missouri vs. Nebraska
4. Oklahoma vs. Oklahoma St.
5. Texas Tech vs. Texas A&M
6. Baylor vs. Texas
7. Georgia vs. Kentucky
8. Miami vs. West Virginia
9. North Carolina St. vs. Virginia
10. Wisconsin vs. Iowa
11. Alabama vs. Tennessee
12. Toledo vs. Akron
Kansas
Iowa St.
Nebraska
Oklahoma St.
Texas Tech
Baylor
Georgia
West Virginia
N. Carolina St.
Wisconsin
Alabama
Toledo
Kansas
Kansas St.
Nebraska
Oklahoma St.
Texas A&M
Texas
Georgia
West Virginia
Virginia
Iowa
Tennessee
Toledo
Kansas St.
Nebraska
Oklahoma St.
Texas A&M
Texas
Georgia
West Virginia
N. Carolina St.
Iowa
Tennessee
Akron
Kansas St.
Nebraska
Oklahoma St.
Texas A&M
Texas
Georgia
West Virginia
Virginia
Wisconsin
Tennessee
Akron
Kansas St.
Nebraska
Oklahoma St.
Texas A&M
Texas
Georgia
West Virginia
N. Carolina St.
Wisconsin
Tennessee
Toledo
Kansas St.
Nebraska
Oklahoma St.
Texas A&M
Texas
Georgia
West Virginia
Virginia
Wisconsin
Tennessee
Toledo
Kansas St.
Nebraska
Oklahoma St.
Texas A&M
Texas
Georgia
West Virginia
Virginia
Wisconsin
Tennessee
Toledo
Kansas St.
Nebraska
Oklahoma St.
Texas A&M
Texas
Georgia
West Virginia
Virginia
Wisconsin
Tennessee
Toledo
Kansas St.
Nebraska
Oklahoma St.
Texas A&M
Texas
Georgia
West Virginia
Virginia
Wisconsin
Tennessee
Toledo
Kansas St.
Nebraska
Oklahoma St.
Texas A&M
Texas
Georgia
West Virginia
Virginia
Wisconsin
Tennessee
Toledo
Kansas St.
Nebraska
Oklahoma St.
Texas A&M
Texas
Georgia
West Virginia
Virginia
Wisconsin
Tennessee
Toledo
Kansas St.
Nebraska
Oklahoma St.
Last Week's Record
Overall
2-10
36-37
9-3
56-27
8-4
59-24
9-3
57-26
9-3
59-24
9-3
62-21
8-4
60-23
10-2
63-20
19
1.